Leila Nadim Sahar
Leila Sahar is a litigation attorney with extensive experience in business litigation and high-exposure product liability defense. Leila is a relentless advocate and trusted advisor to her clients. Clients appreciate her sound judgment and her creative, efficient problem solving. Leila has represented businesses of all sizes, large manufacturers, developers, executives, and individuals in state and federal courts across the country, handling all aspects of trial preparation and strategy, as well as negotiations for informal dispute resolution. Her current practice primarily includes business and commercial litigation, construction and real estate litigation, product liability defense, shareholder and partnership disputes, and appeals.
Leila has been recognized as a “Rising Star” by Wisconsin Super Lawyers in 2018-2021 and was also included on BizTime’s inaugural list of “Notable Women in the Law” in 2020. In addition to her normal caseload, Leila has devoted considerable time to pro bono work, including the representation of dozens of survivors of domestic abuse.
PRACTICE AREAS
• Appellate Practice
• Business and Commercial Litigation
• Construction Litigation
• Election Law
• Products Liability
• Real Estate Litigation
• Shareholder and Partnership Litigation
AWARDS & DISTINCTIONS
• Selected, The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, 2025, Commercial Litigation
• Selected, “Rising Star” by Wisconsin Super Lawyers® for 2018-2023
• Named a “Women of Distinction” in Milwaukee Magazine’s 2023 special section
• Named a “Notable Woman in the Law” by Biz Times, 2020
• Named, Fellow of the American Bar Foundation
BAR ADMISSIONS
• Wisconsin
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
• U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
PUBLISHED WORKS & PRESENTATIONS
• Presenter: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Changes are A’Coming—Are you Ready for Them? – Milwaukee, WI (October 22, 2013)
• Presenter: Championship Litigation: Procedural Three-Pointers- Milwaukee, WI (April 1, 2013)
• Co-Author: Spoiling Boumediene: Military Involvement in the Destruction of Evidence Regarding Detainee Habeas Petitions, Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics (2011)
REPORTED DECISIONS
• Am. Family Mut. Ins. Co. v. Cintas Corp. No. 2, 2018 WI 81, 383 Wis. 2d 63, 914 N.W.2d 76
ABOUT LEILA
Leila was born and raised in New Berlin, Wisconsin and now enjoys living in Milwaukee’s Brewers Hill neighborhood with her husband, Jack, her daughter, Maya, and their two dogs, Zoey and Maggie. In her free time, Leila plays soccer and ice hockey, and enjoys boating and hiking with her family. Leila is also active in the community. She currently services as Vice President of the Milwaukee Bar Association and volunteers her time for a local arts education nonprofit organization, among other causes.
EDUCATION
• Georgetown University Law Center / J.D., 2012
• Lawrence University / B.A., magna cum laude, 2008
ACADEMIC POSITIONS
• Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics, Member, 2010-2011; Executive Articles Editor, 2011-2012
• Georgetown University Law Center Barristers’ Counsel – Trial Advocacy Division, 2010-2012
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
• American Bar Association
• State Bar of Wisconsin
• Milwaukee Bar Association
• Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
• Board of Directors – Milwaukee Bar Association (Vice President, July 2022-present; Director, August 2020-July 2022).
• Board of Directors – Arts@Large (Chair, 2020-2021; Vice Chair, 2018-2020; Secretary 2015-2018).
• Volunteer, Lawyer for a Day Program, Legal Action and Sojourner Family Peace Center
• Mentor, Hon. Charles N. Clevert Mentoring Program (2019)